Space Reconnaissance Laboratory

SRL Derivative

Join us at the NRO's annual conference: NRO FIRST October 21-23, 2025

NRO Forum for Innovative Research in Science & Technology (FIRST) brings together multi-disciplinary researchers from across government agencies and academia for technical presentations on topics critical to intelligence and overhead reconnaissance.
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Soliciting abstracts on R&D relevant to the NRO. Previous topics included: Quantum Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Manufacturing, Remote Sensing, Microelectronics, RF Technologies, Space Situational Awareness, & Other Enabling Technologies.

 

Important Dates:

Abstract Deadline:

Mar 17th

Acceptance Notification:

Apr 18th

Registration Opens:

May 5th

Paper and Presentation Submissions:

Sept 22nd

Classified Days:

Oct 21st-22nd

Unclassified Day:

Oct 23rd
     

Advancing technology for satellites and supporting infrastructure

NRO’s Space Reconnaissance Laboratory brings together the best in academia and the private sector to keep America at the forefront of space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance technology. SRL is part of the Federal Laboratory Consortium and links private-sector and academic research and development with our intelligence mission.

 

WHAT WE DO

SRL works with experts from academia and industry and leverages a range of authorities to promote rapid advancements in technology to support the nation’s most complex and critical national security challenges.

SRL manages NRO’s technology transfer program using a set of flexible-agreement mechanisms that allow us to operate faster and more effectively bridge the gap between open and classified research.

 

WORK WITH US

SRL uses traditional and more flexible, non-Federal Acquisition Regulation based research agreement authorities to enable partnerships with leading researchers and entities. As a Federal Laboratory, SRL supports collaboration with other federal labs, industry, academia, and government organizations.

 

Tech Scout QUARTERLY (TSQ)

The Tech Scout Quarterly (TSQ) solicits new and innovative technologies that may offer significant benefits over existing capabilities. The TSQ supports the development of SRL’s advanced technology portfolio by pushing the boundaries of what is feasible through identifying a wide range of opportunities that are high risk and high reward for further consideration within the NRO enterprise.

The SRL actively solicits new and innovative research and development efforts that offer significant benefits over existing capabilities. Through the TSQ, the SRL discovers innovative technologies and solutions resolving some of NRO’s greatest challenges. SRL seeks to collaborate with lead innovators and technologists to spearhead the rapid development of technologies that enable new or advanced NRO intelligence capabilities.

Non-traditional Industry and Academic entities are invited to submit innovative ideas that align to the specific areas of R&D identified below.

Beginning in April 2025, the TSQ will operate on a 90-day cadence. Submissions are accepted during the first 30 days of each Tech Scout quarter (January, April, July, October).

Submissions will be reviewed within 60 days; submissions of interest will be selected for further consideration before the end of the TSQ period.

Submit to the TSQ using the SRL Inquiry Form. TSQ submissions may be accompanied by up to two (2) pages of additional information sent to SRL@nro.mil.

Mission interest areas

  • Apertures
  • Communications
  • Remote sensing
  • Satellite-system design
  • Sense-making
  • Other revolutionary concepts

Contact us

SRL Inquiry Form  

Please include your:

  • Organization’s name and physical address
  • Contact details for the principal investigator, including name, phone number, and e-mail address
  • A brief description of the proposed research and development effort, including the desired tasks and potential benefits and outcomes
  • For Cooperative Research and Development Agreement-specific ideas, reach us at CRADA@nro.mil
  • For any questions, reach us at SRL@nro.mil